Kalakaua
Last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawaii
Died when: 54 years 65 days (650 months)Star Sign: Scorpio
Kalakaua (David La?amea Kamananakapu Mahinulani Naloiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalakaua; November 16, 1836 – January 20, 1891), sometimes called The Merrie Monarch, was the last king and penultimate monarch of the Kingdom of Hawai?i, reigning from February 12, 1874, until his death in 1891.
Succeeding Lunalilo, he was elected to the vacant throne of Hawai?i against Queen Emma. Kalakaua had a convivial personality and enjoyed entertaining guests with his singing and ukulele playing.
At his coronation and his birthday jubilee, the hula, which had hitherto been banned in public in the kingdom, became a celebration of Hawaiian culture.
During Kalakaua's reign, the Reciprocity Treaty of 1875 brought great prosperity to the kingdom. Its renewal continued the prosperity but allowed United States to have exclusive use of Pearl Harbor.
In 1881, Kalakaua took a trip around the world to encourage the immigration of contract sugar plantation workers. He wanted Hawaiians to broaden their education beyond their nation.
He instituted a government-financed program to sponsor qualified students to be sent abroad to further their education. Two of his projects, the statue of Kamehameha I and the rebuilding of ?Iolani Palace, were expensive endeavors but are popular tourist attractions today.
Extravagant expenditures and Kalakaua's plans for a Polynesian confederation played into the hands of annexationists who were already working towards a United States takeover of Hawai?i.
In 1887, Kalakaua was pressured to sign a new constitution that made the monarchy little more than a figurehead position. After his brother William Pitt Leleiohoku II died in 1877, the king named their sister Lili?uokalani as heir-apparent.
She acted as regent during his absences from the country. After Kalakaua's death, she became the last monarch of Hawai?i.